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CORNY

Posted on by Lazy Eight Stock Farm

FARM NEWS

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Organic Sweet Corn! Not the easiest thing we’ve ever done.
FROM THE FARMERS

One question I am asked at least once every market is, “When are you going to have sweet corn?” My usual answer is that I don’t know, because making predictions about all things farm is risky business. Mostly, it’s simply hard to guess how quickly things will ripen, but lately the “I don’t know” reply can be better interpreted as “we might not have any…”

Lothar first started selling corn at the Berea Farmers Market in the early 80’s, and I took my first crop of corn to the market 17 years ago. Although corn is the least profitable crop we grow on the farm, we enjoy growing it because we feel like we know what we are doing, and everyone loves eating corn. It’s not without it’s difficulties. Sweet corn is a challenge to germinate because the high sugar content of the seed means it will rot quickly if the soil is not warm enough. Conventional wisdom is to treat the seed with fungicides and pesticides, which enhance germination to get the crop off to a good start. When we made to switch to untreated seed four years ago, we exposed ourselves to a lot of potential problems. The first year, the stars were aligned and we had our best sweet corn year to date, and then the problems started. Germination has been our main challenge, and after four failed plantings this spring, we tried our hand at transplanting sweet corn. This dramatically increases the expense of growing the least profitable crop on the farm, but we’re happy our CSA members will have the rare opportunity to eat some Certified Organic sweet corn!

-Bryce

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I’ve been trying to tell them Mr. McGregor’s garden is next door! Does anyone like to go rabbit hunting?

WEEK #17 CSA SHARE CONTENTS

ALL OUR PRODUCE IS NOW CERTIFIED ORGANIC!

  • SWEET CORN
  • BELL PEPPER
  • SNAP BEANS
  • TOMATOES
  • CHERRY TOMATOES
  • FINGERLING POTATOES
  • BABY SQUASH
canning
If you need any canning tips talk to Katie Startzman and Laura Poulette, they are in the lead for most tomatoes canned. Here’s a water color from Laura, inspired by the experience. Thanks!

INTERESTED IN CANNING TOMATOES? GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN. GIVE US A CALL AT 859-661-1501 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

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This week will be the last chance for canning tomatoes

FARM NOTES & EVENTS

THIS THURSDAY:

FIND US AT THE LFUCG GOVERNMENT CENTER 3:30-5:00 PM

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Madison County Market @ EKU
  • TUESDAY – BEREA FARMERS MARKET, 3:30-6:30 PM
  • THURSDAY – MADISON COUNTY FARMERS MARKET, 10:00-1:00 PM @ EKU
  • SATURDAY – BEREA FARMERS MARKET, 9:00-12:00 PM
  • SATURDAY – LEXINGTON FARMERS MARKET, 7:00-12:00 PM
sweets
First of our organic sweet potatoes. 1/1500 of the expected harvest.
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Melon in the Vitamix
Lazy Eight Stock Farm